The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1887-12-24
TRUE REFINEMENT.
rlc Relation Which, Natural Sweetness o
Disposition Bears to 1t.


One hears much talk of this desira-
BILE quality nowadays, but the IDEA of
1t is often very vague. What is refine
ment?
We are not of those who think that
it consists of studied quietness of
dress and manner. Some very refined
people dress shockingly, and they
even have quite loud voices, and yet
their good breeding is patent to all the
world.
We once met whole family of del
cate ladies at fashionable summer
,csort on the banks of the Hudson,
whose idea of refinement was lancuor
and health. They thought it was
Just too vulgar to be healthy and
strong; quite too mannish, indeed, in
lady!
Among some people. size is thought
to have n good deal to do with refine
ment. 1t is unrefined to be large,
gross to be fat; coarse to have weight
and monstrons to have prominent
features. A large neck. large checks
or lips are especially opposed to all re-
finement
Now. little people are certainly very
cunning very curious, but we can not
all be fairies-nor do we wish it Only
fancy a whole world of these little
creatures! Why, even trade would Ian
guish. Smaller Quantities of every
thing would be needed from cloth and
flannel all the way down to oysters and
buckwheat cakes. No, large people
are necessary to keep the world NOV
ing.
We once knew of a fashionable lady
who liked her clergyman because he
preached such refined sermons. When
q distinguished literary man died re-
Gently we were told he was not q re-
fined person. Well. perhaps he was
not, but he was SO distinguished in
other ways that really we had not
thought of his refinement We would
| just as soon have asked whether st.
Paul was refined man. or whether
Isaiah went to ancient Babylon to ac-
quirc "good FORM as some persons
go to London now for that purpose.
There are some people who are al
ways trying to be refined. Like Rosa
mond in Middlemarch. they have SC
trained themselves that. by the help Of
nice clothes, sweet voice and a placid
dcIneanor, they appear oulwardly tc
| be refined.
| There are, we believe. many people
in q very humble station in life who
are truly refined in their feelings who
are yet quite unpublished. outwardly.
Their hearts are right, they have The
| consideration for others, which is the
very basis of refinement.
There are also others in good society
| whose natural sweetness of disposition
| constantly shows itself in kind anf
gentle words and deeds toward ALL
No effort is needed on their part to BIZ
courteous and amiable, for they fee
| so, and naturally their outward man.
ners are but the reflex of that which il
| within. Such persons are charming
they like every DO ly AMI every body
likes them. We all know a few such
and are thankful.
The chief desidcratum appears TO b
good heart. If we truly love oul
neighbors we can not fail 70 be kline
and sweet to them. And If we are in
different, all the care we tako of ON
manners, all our studied refinement
all our stylish conversation will be a
dust and ashes.
There are those who find it Difficult
to care for their neighbors. They wisl
them well, but do not want to b,
bothered with them. They Away try
to be civil. but it is uphill work, and
they are glad when the trial is over
Their refinement" must make then
smile aud bow and say Eyes" an(
NO at proper intervals. But hav'
they nothing more? Il there no inter
est felt except in their departurcP
Nothing is valuable unless genuine
Who cares for paste diamonds am
imitation cut glass? Outward polisl
is of slight worth without the true re
finement of the heart. Home Journal